European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas blamed the UK, saying the EU's teams were available "24/7".

While the Brexit Department told Sky News that the break was "mutually agreed" and added it was "ready to negotiate at any time".

But they later confirmed technical talks would go ahead, a spokesperson telling Sky News: "The programme was agreed between the UK and EU, and we kept Wednesday free from the outset to give us flexibility during the round for any technical talks, which are taking place tomorrow.

"The UK has always been available for that and it is simply incorrect to suggest otherwise."

EU Council President Donald Tusk seemed to downplay tensions, saying on Tuesday that the EU was not working on a "'no deal' scenario"

"We hear from London that the UK government is preparing for a no deal scenario," he said.

"I would like to say very clearly that the EU is not working on such a scenario. We are negotiating in good faith and we still hope that the so-called sufficient progress will be possible by December.

But he warned: "If it turns out that the talks continue at a slow pace and sufficient progress hasn't been reached, then - together there with our UK friends - we will have to think about where we are heading."